Comedy of Manners, Comedy of Manners Summary, Comedy of Manners Essay, Comedy of Manners in History of English literature

Comedy of Manners

Introduction

          Comedy of Manners is a major form of comedy in English literature, especially popular during the Restoration Period after 1660. When theatres reopened, playwrights started focusing on the lifestyle of the upper-class society. This type of comedy presents a realistic yet satirical picture of fashionable people, highlighting their artificial manners, hypocrisy, and moral weakness. The main objective of Comedy of Manners is entertainment through wit, irony, and sharp dialogue, while indirectly criticising social behaviour.

Major Features / Characteristics of Comedy of Manners

     1. The first important feature is the upper-class social setting. The plays mainly deal with rich and fashionable people living in London.

     2. Wit and repartee dominate the plays. The humour comes from intelligent and quick verbal exchanges rather than action.

     3. Another key feature is satire. Social customs, false morality, and artificial behaviour of high society are mocked openly.

     4. Comedy of Manners also uses stock characters like the rake, the coquette, the fop, and the hypocrite, who represent social types.

     5. Love and marriage are treated lightly. Marriage is shown as a social and economic contract, not a romantic bond.

     6. Another key feature is moral ambiguity. Immoral characters are often successful, reflecting the pleasure-loving attitude of Restoration society.

Major Writers of Comedy of Manners

• William Wycherley exposed social hypocrisy in plays like The Country Wife.

• William Congreve refined this form with polished wit in The Way of the World.

• Sir George Etherege portrayed elegant and fashionable society in The Man of Mode.

• Sir John Vanbrugh added social criticism, especially about marriage, in The Provoked Wife.

Conclusion

            Comedy of Manners is an important literary form that presents a sharp and realistic picture of Restoration society. Through wit, satire, and clever dialogue, it exposes social hypocrisy and artificial values of the upper class. Despite its decline, it remains significant for its artistic quality and social insight. 

History of British Literature Late 17th and 18th century (1660–1800), History of British Literature Late 17th and 18th century (1660–1800) short Essay, History of British Literature Late 17th and 18th century (1660–1800) MCQs, The Neoclassical Period, The Restoration Period, The Augustan Age, The Age of Sensibility, The Romantic Period

History of British Literature

Late 17th and 18th century (1660–1800)

Introduction

          The period from 1660 to 1800 is a major phase in British literature. It shows a shift from religious rigidity to reason and later emotion. This era includes the Restoration Age, Augustan Age, Age of Sensibility, and leads to Romanticism.

Restoration Literature (1660–1700)

          The Restoration Age began with the return of King Charles II in 1660. Theatres reopened and literature revived. Drama became dominant, especially comedy of manners. Writers used wit, satire, and realism to expose upper-class hypocrisy. Wycherley and Congreve were major dramatists.

The Augustan Age (1700–1745)

          The Augustan Age is also called the Age of Reason. Writers believed in logic, order, balance, and classical models. Satire was the main literary tool. Pope’s The Rape of the Lock and Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels criticised society and politics effectively.

Age of Sensibility (1745–1785)

          This age reacted against too much reason and focused on emotion, sympathy, and morality. Writers showed concern for common people. Richardson’s Pamela stressed virtue, while Fielding’s Tom Jones presented social realism. Gray’s poetry expressed themes of death and humanity.

Romanticism (Beginning around 1785)

          Romanticism emerged as a reaction against logic and industrialisation. Writers valued imagination, emotion, nature, and individual freedom. Major poets include William Blake, Wordsworth, and Coleridge. Nature became a source of inspiration and spiritual guidance in literature.

Conclusion

          The period from 1660 to 1800 shows steady literary development. Each age contributed unique qualities—from wit and satire to emotion and imagination. Together, they prepared the foundation for Romanticism and the growth of modern English literature.

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